HARKER HEIGHTS, TX — Dozens more guns have made it into the hands of criminals in Central Texas.
It comes after a brazen daytime robbery ofv a pawn shop in Harker Heights.
Experts say, what happens to stolen guns, usually creates more crime.
”It's pretty scary.” Said, James Hollenbeck looks over his shoulder a little more these days after hearing about Sunday's violent robbery, a few blocks away at the Pawn Palace pawn shop.
"Does it bother me that it happened so close to home here? Yes it does that's only three or four blocks away. It does bother me," said Hollenbeck.
Investigators say three men walked into the place waved their guns, terrorizing employees and leaving an awful mess of smashed display cases.
"They came in brandished their guns pointed them at everybody had everybody comply with their wishes." explained ATF Special Agent Nicole Strong.
What did they take?, guns, dozens of them that are now on the streets of Bell County. What Can police do about it and what happens to the guns now that they've been stolen from the store?
The Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms says, in general, three things will likely happen with 29 guns stolen here.
”They may use them commit more crimes they can also sell them on the black market because the guns will not come back to them because they didn't purchase the fire arms or they could trade them for property or drugs,” said Strong.
James Hollenbeck says the crime seems bad enough, but what worries him most? 29 new guns in the hands of bad guys.
”Lord knows what's going to happen to those things,” he said.
That's why the ATF and the National Shooting Sports Foundation have offered a 10-thou sad dollar reward for information on the robbery.
Hollenbeck hopes it helps, though he believes the guns to be long gone.
"Those things are gonna get out of here fast, I'm sure," he said.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact ATF by phone at 1-888-ATF-TIPS, by email at ATFTips@atf.gov, online or via the Reportit® app, available on both Android and iPhone.
